Most people connect the skincare concept with women, so men assume they don’t need to wash their faces or have a skincare routine.
While men and women have some differences in their skin’s biological makeup, the skin still needs some tender loving care regardless of gender.
Skincare has many benefits, and men can also take advantage of this and having a skincare routine for men is just as important. It’s crucial to maintain healthy, youthful, and glowing skin.
Wondering why men should mind their skincare routine? Read on to learn more.
What Makes Men’s Skin Different
The skin of men significantly differs from those of women. It’s one of the reasons people assume men don’t need skincare. Here are some ways men’s skin is different.
Men’s Skin Is Thicker
One of the most known differences between men's and women's skin is thickness. Generally, men’s skin is thicker by, on average, 20-25 percent. The skin is also firmer and tighter due to the higher collagen content.
On top of this, the collagen on male skin constantly decreases while female skin loses more collagen later. In fact, the collagen in women’s skin drops more significantly following menopause.
As such, women’s skin gets thinner more quickly than men’s. And because the drop in collagen content is steep, the aging effects are also more noticeable among women.
Men’s Skin is Oilier
Men’s skin is also oilier compared to that of women. As such, men are also less prone to dry skin. This is because they have oversized sebaceous glands, naturally producing more sebum.
This natural oil the body produces helps protect the skin and hair from losing moisture and getting damaged. Sebum also plays an integral role in maintaining the body’s health and hydration.
Because men have bigger sebaceous glands, they also produce excess oil that may result in greasy skin and oil buildup. The latter may even clog the pores and result in acne and irritation.
This becomes a bigger problem since males have larger pores, so the excess sebum can contribute to more frequent acne breakouts and other skin issues. On top of this, such skin conditions may continue even after getting past puberty.
Regular Shaving Among Men Stresses the Skin More
Due to men being naturally hairy, with many of them hoping to shave their facial hair, men’s skin gets more stressed due to shaving.
On average, men shave 20,000 times in one lifetime. The skin’s sensitivity heightens as they shave more, causing the skin to react more. Daily shaving may result in irritation as it removes the skin’s topmost layer, exposing skin that hasn’t matured yet and is more sensitive to external factors.
A lot of men suffer skin problems related to skin shaving and sensitivity. On top of this, men are also prone to getting cuts or razor burns, and other shaving-related injuries if they don’t lubricate enough while shaving.
How Does Skincare Keep Men’s Skin Healthy
Helps Minimize Acne Breakouts
If you’re wondering why you still get acne breakouts despite washing your face, the answer may be the product you’re using.
A regular bar of bath soap you use to clean your body shouldn’t be the cleanser you use on your face. The skin on your face is more sensitive, and a typical bar of bath soap has high pH. Given this, the soap can definitely get rid of dirt and residue, but it also strips your face of the natural oils needed by healthy skin.
Instead of preventing your pores from being clogged, the stripping of natural oils signals your skin to overproduce more sebum to make up for what was lost. This extra sebum can build up and cause pore clogging, which usually results in acne.
With a proper cleanser and exfoliator, you can avoid this. Proper skincare products contain the right pH to effectively cleanse your skin without overstripping it. Usually, such products also contain additional ingredients that help nourish the skin.
Helps Protect the Skin Against External Damage
Skincare doesn’t stop at cleansing your skin. Many skincare products help protect your skin from pollutants, environmental damage, and sun damage.
If you want to keep your skin looking young and healthy, it’s best to keep it protected. Add sunscreen to your regimen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Certain serums and moisturizers, such as those with antioxidants like vitamin C, can also help you fight free radicals and oxidative stress.
Protecting your skin from such damage also helps slow down signs of skin aging and provides your skin with a more radiant natural glow.
Tips on How to Make a Skincare Routine for Me
1. Know Your Skin Type
Before you buy the products for your skincare lineup, you need to know your skin type and what ingredients would work well with it. The four main skin types include Normal, Oily, Dry, and Combination. Several skincare lines will benefit all skin types, so keep that in mind.
2. Cleanse Properly
The first part of any skincare routine is cleansing. For this step, you want a cleanser with a low pH. It needs to effectively clean your face without stripping away too many oils and without depletion of the skin’s moisture barrier.
3. Exfoliate
Another important part of skincare is exfoliation. You don’t have to exfoliate daily, but doing this regularly helps achieve healthy skin. You get rid of the dead top layer of the skin through exfoliation, uncovering the healthy new skin underneath. This promotes healthy skin cell turnover. As a man, a washcloth for cleansing goes a long way in exfoliating the skin.
4. Nourish
Depending on your skincare goals, you should look for nourishing products, like serums, to add to your regimen. Thanks to modern technology, many skin care products have incorporated natural, nutrient-rich ingredients into their formula.
5. Moisturize
Well-moisturized skin is not only healthy but is also protected. The moisture in the skin reinforces the protective barrier that can prevent damage from pollutants and other external factors. Apart from this, having enough moisture also promotes healthy skin cell regeneration and collagen production.
6. Protect
For a day time routine, never forget to put sunscreen on. Doing so can help prevent sunburn, UV damage, and may even fight off skin cancer.
The Benefits of Skincare for Men
Skincare is not a gendered practice; it’s highly beneficial for both men and women. Creating a simple yet effective skincare routine can also achieve healthy, radiant skin.
While many may be intimidated by this, creating an effective skin care regimen isn’t too difficult. All you need to know is your skin type or if your skincare provides benefits for your skin type, what ingredients work, and the essential steps to a skincare regimen.
It is not just women who strive for healthy, radiant skin. Simple steps and a routine can help make a difference and so why not start today!
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